Ministries of Education and Media Launch New Edition of 'With Students' Program

Alaa Khalifa: The Ministries of Education and Information announced the launch of the new edition of the “With Students” program for the 2026-2027 academic year. The program includes a series of competitions aimed at Grade 12 students to develop their abilities, highlight their talents, and enhance the spirit of competition and creativity among them, continuing the legacy of the prestigious program since its first edition in 1975.

This announcement came during a press conference held by the Ministry yesterday morning, attended by supporting and sponsoring entities participating in the program.

At the outset, Mariam Al-Anzi, Director General of the General Administration of Supporting Educational Services at the Ministry of Education, stated that the “With Students” program is a distinguished initiative that fosters a spirit of competition among students, enabling them to experience debate, speak in front of cameras, and face the audience. She noted that while the program had been offered in previous years, the Minister of Education, Dr. Sayed Jalal Al-Tabatabaei, has insisted on its return since last year with a new format characterized by community partnership between government and private sector institutions.

Al-Anzi explained that the previous year’s edition garnered significant viewership, demonstrating the program’s success, which was largely attributed to the cooperation between the government and private sectors, the participation of our student children, and technical guidance. She extended her sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Information for its continuous support in filming episodes of the “With Students” program, as well as to all sponsoring companies for their commitment to ensuring the program remains distinguished, carrying many meanings and values for the students of the Ministry of Education.

For her part, Masar Bin Eid, Executive Director of the Registration and Admissions Department at the American University of the Middle East (AUM), stated that supporting youth, empowering them, discovering their talents, and refining their abilities represent one of the main pillars of the university’s strategy since its inception. She emphasized the university’s commitment to providing the necessary support and encouragement for youth to continue their path of success, excellence, and creativity in various fields.

Bin Eid expressed her happiness over the university’s role as the main sponsor of the “With Students” program, in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Information, and its contribution to this educational initiative. She highlighted the university’s pride in reviving the program and presenting it in a new format, which enhances its presence and role in supporting students and showcasing their energies and potential.

She added that the American University of the Middle East is keen on organizing competitions and student activities on campus, in addition to participating in local and international events, based on its belief that the university’s role extends beyond providing academic education to offering a comprehensive environment that allows students to engage in activities that develop their talents, reveal their capabilities, and motivate them to innovate and create in all fields.

For his part, Yusuf Al-Ruwaih, Head of Public Relations and Media at Kuwait Finance House (KFH), stated that the bank’s participation in the “With Students” program as a strategic partner confirms its leadership in social responsibility and its commitment to supporting students and various youth and educational initiatives that leave a sustainable impact.

Al-Ruwaih emphasized that KFH, through its comprehensive community responsibility program, places students and education at the top of its priorities as a fundamental pillar of the bank’s social responsibility strategy. He added that, in this context, KFH is keen on launching initiatives and programs aimed at supporting students and developing their potential through strategic partnerships with numerous universities, and participation in seminars and workshops that contribute to improving the academic and professional performance of students and graduates. He expressed pride in the bank’s record filled with programs and initiatives targeting youth empowerment and capacity building, within the framework of KFH’s strategy aimed at achieving sustainable development. Al-Ruwaih extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to all those involved in the “With Students” program, wishing them continued success and achievement.

For his part, Badr Al-Duai, Director General of the General Administration of Television at the Ministry of Information, stated that the Ministry of Information is a key partner with the Ministry of Education in implementing the “With Students” program since 1975. He clarified that the program is 51 years old since its launch, but it was suspended in 2020 due to the “corona” crisis and remained suspended until 2025. It has now returned in 2026 with a new format.

Al-Duai noted that the program creates a spirit of competition among students at the scientific and cognitive levels, adding that this partnership has contributed to producing work worthy of the Kuwait Television screen and its viewers. He extended his thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Education and all sponsoring entities that are keen on supporting all meaningful educational activities.

The discussion then turned to Zahraa Dahdari, CEO of VO Company, who thanked the Ministries of Education and Information for granting VO Company the trust and responsibility to implement the “With Students” program.

Dahdari stated that VO Company is a non-profit organization supporting and empowering youth in all sectors, particularly the academic, educational, and creative sectors. She emphasized the company’s commitment to implementing the program using the best and most appropriate contemporary technologies for the current generation of youth, considering their capabilities, especially since today’s youth are the leaders of the future, and investing in them is the true investment for tomorrow’s Kuwait.

Dahdari mentioned that the company ensured that the majority of the implementation team for this program consisted of Kuwaiti youth. She noted that the 51st edition of the “With Students” program will be presented by media personality Abdullah Malallah.

Dahdari added that following the overwhelming success of the program’s previous edition, VO Company was keen to add new and advanced technologies. There will be a special VAR committee comprising seven guides from the Ministry of Education to carry out supervisory and monitoring work appropriate for the program, ensuring the required transparency and creating a beautiful spirit of competition among students.

Dahdari emphasized that one of the key pillars of success in any endeavor is integration and unifying common goals between the government and private sectors, extending her deepest thanks and appreciation to all supporting entities of the program.

For his part, Dr. Bassam Al-Shammari, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Award for Informatics, said: “We wish to express our pride and honor in the high patronage of this prestigious program, ‘With Students.’ We also commend the Ministries of Education and Information for co-producing this meaningful national program, as well as the efforts of VO Company, which leads national initiatives that elevate the culture and education of our society.”

He continued, “It is a source of great pleasure for the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Award for Informatics to be a strategic partner for the ‘With Students’ program for the 2026-2027 season, driven by our national responsibility and our leadership in digital leadership for our beloved Kuwait.”

Al-Shammari emphasized that the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Award for Informatics has given great priority to education and digital training, having launched various initiatives, including the Informatics Academy in 2019 and the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative (Kuwait AI) in 2025. He expressed pride in this partnership, wishing the program success and brilliance, and wishing our student children continued success and advancement.

For his part, Adel Al-Attar, Director of Administrative Affairs at Collex Company, said: “It is an honor for Collex Company to be the main sponsor of the educational television program ‘With Students’ for the 2026-2027 season, under the high and generous patronage of His Highness Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, may God protect and guard him.”

Al-Attar added, “From our keenness to have an effective role and contribution to society, we are pleased to be supporters of students, youth, and educational and national initiatives, and to contribute to supporting and encouraging the program, wishing everyone success and achievement.”

Finally, Dhari Al-Gharbali, Deputy Managing Director of Comprehensive Services at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries, stated that KPC and its subsidiaries are an integral part of Kuwaiti society. He extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to all those involved in implementing the “With Students” program from the Ministries of Education and Information and the supporting entities in both the government and private sectors, praising this wonderful educational program. He expressed his happiness that KPC is part of this integrated system.

Al-Gharbali noted that just as the oil sector contributes to driving economic development in Kuwait, it also bears social responsibility by investing in the youth segment, emphasizing the corporation’s full support for Kuwaiti youth in all fields.